The first Glasgow Derby of the season is set to unfold this Sunday at Ibrox, Rangers’ home ground, and as always, the focus isn’t solely on the players and managers.
The Scottish Football Association has announced that Don Robertson will be the man in the middle, with Alan Muir overseeing VAR and Stevie McLean serving as the fourth official. Given the high stakes and recent controversies, the officiating team will be under immense scrutiny.
Adding to the tension is the fact that there will be no Celtic fans at Ibrox. A ticket row between the two clubs has reached an impasse, with Celtic expressing concerns over supporter safety. The absence of the Hoops’ faithful is sure to make an already challenging atmosphere even more daunting for Brendan Rodgers and his team.
Celtic have been struggling of late, failing to secure a win in their last two matches. Rodgers is still searching for that elusive winning formula, and the absence of Celtic fans at Ibrox won’t make his task any easier. The Bhoys will need to dig deep and pull out a performance that defies the odds.
Don Robertson’s appointment as the referee has already sparked conversations among the Celtic community. Officials are always a focal point in these high-stakes matches, and Robertson will have to make sure he’s ready.
Stevie McLean, the fourth official for the match, is another name that adds to the list of scrutinised figures. His role may be less visible than Robertson’s, but in a match where tensions run high, every official’s decision could be a potential flashpoint.
This Sunday’s clash is more than just a match; it’s a battle for supremacy, a test of wills, and a moment that could define the season for both clubs. For Celtic, it’s a chance to turn their fortunes around and lay down a marker for the rest of the campaign.
As we look forward to Sunday, we can only hope that the officiating team is up to the task and that their decisions don’t overshadow what promises to be an electrifying 90 minutes of football. The Bhoys have their work cut out for them, but if there’s one thing we know about Celtic, it’s that they never shy away from a challenge.
Here’s hoping for a fair match and, of course, a Celtic victory.
